Shoe straightening device



Nov. 28, 1967 D. c. PATTERSON 3,354,483

SHOE STRAIGHTENING DEVICE Filed Dec. 22, 1966 fiOA/ALD C. P 77'EZ50N WW MM United States Patent O 3,354,483 SHOE STRAlGl-ITENING DEVICE Donald C. Patterson, 201 W. Brandon Road, Columbia, Me. 652%]. Filed Dec. 22, B66, Ser. No. 693,945 Claims. (Cl 12-12%).5)

ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A shoe straightening device comprising a sole plate extending the full length of the shoe, a toe strap attached to the toe end of the sole plate, an upstanding support element slidably engaging the heel end of the sole, and a heel securing element pivotally connected to the upper end of the upstanding support element. Adjustment for shoes of varying lengths is made by sliding the upstanding support element along the sole plate and locking it at any desired position, Adjustment for shoes of varying heights is made by attaching the heel securing element at the desired height on the upstanding support element.

This invention relates to shoe straightening devices and relates more particularly to means for maintaining a shoe in its proper shape when the shoe is not in use.

Shoes have a natural tendency to curl when they are not being worn such that the toe end of the sole is raised and the upper is bent and misshapened. This tendency is aggravated when the shoe is wet either due to internal moisture in a shoe which has been recently worn or due to external moisture such as rain or snow. In addition to the undesirable effect on the appearance of the shoe, this constant deforming of the shoe weakens the material and causes cracking of the same.

Numerous devices have been proposed heretofore in an attempt to maintain a shoe in its proper shape when not being worn. Conventional shoe trees which are placed inside of the shoe frequently cause greater misshaping than if the shoe is unattended. Further, the internal pressures caused by such devices may well detrimentally affect the material of the upper.

There have also been proposed many shoe straightening devices which operate primarily from outside the shoe, but the constructions presently available are generally unsatisfactory for one or more reasons. First of all, most of these devices are quite complex and relatively expensive to manufacture and maintain. Further, they are not universally applicable to right and left shoes as well as mens and womens shoes. For example, a number of prior art devices include means for gripping the forward tip of the shoe sole, an arrangement which is inoperable for most womens shoes which do not have a protruding peripheral sole edge. Further, such devices are ordinarily incapable of accommodating high heel shoes of the type presently in style. Additionally, many of these prior art appliances are not reliable in operation, having a tendency to slip or release accidentally whereby they cannot function effectively.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a shoe straightening device which is free from the foregoing and other such disadvantages, being relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and highly reliable and efficient in use.

Another object of the instant invention is the provision 3354,43 Patented Nov, 28, 1957 of a device of the type described which is universally applicable to left and right shoes, small and large shoes, and mens and womens shoes of any design or shape.

Further, this invention contemplates the provision of a shoe straightening device which will reshape any shoe to its proper configuration without applying any internal pressure and Without in any Way detrimentally affecting the shoe material.

Other and further objects reside in the combination of elements, arrangement of parts and features of construction.

Still other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and as shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred construction according to the instant invention of a shoe straightening device shown in the initial stage of securing the same to a womans high heeled shoe;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the device of FIGURE 1 showing the same in its final engagement with the shoe;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan View of the device with'the shoe removed therefrom; and 1 FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional View taken substantially along line 44 of FIGURE 1.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a shoe straightening device according to the instant inventive concept is designated generally by the reference numeral 10 and is shown in FIGURES l and 2 in use with a conventional womens high heeled shoe 12. The shoe 12, as with all conventional shoes, includes a sole 14 having a toe end 16 and a heel end 18 with a heel 20 secured thereto. An upper 22 is carried by the sole 14 in a conventional manner and includes a toe portion 24 and a heel portion 26. The inside of the shoe 12 has what may be referred to as an inner heel portion 28 overlying the heel 20.

The device 10 comprises basically a sole plate 30, preferably of one piece construction extending the full length of the shoe 12 and having a toe end 32 and a heel end 34. In the embodiment shown in the drawings the tee end 32 is wider than the heel end 34, although it is to be understood that the entire sole plate may be of the same general width, if desired.

A toe strap 36 is secured to he toe end 32 of the sole plate 30 in any conventional manner as by the rivets 38. Although the remainder of the device is generally formed of metal or a rigid plastic, the toe strap 36 may be formed of leather or other suitable relatively softer material to preclude scratching the upper 22 of the shoe 12 in use. It will be seen that the toe strap 36 is spaced rearwardly of the toe end 32 of the sole plate 3%) to provide an open-toed arrangement, with the toe strap being tapered to accommodate shoes of different sizes and shapes.

This type of toe-engaging means is particularly useful in a universal shoe straightening device of the type provided by the instant invention in that it can accommodate shoes of various configurations relatively easily and it does not rely on engaging an overhanging lip on the sole of the shoe which, with many womens shoes, is not present.

A heel-engaging means is provided at the rear of the sole plate 30 and includes an upstanding, substantially rigid, support element 40 having a lower end 42 in the form of a guide means slidably engaging the heel end 34 of the sole plate 30 as will be seen particularly in FIG- URE 4.. The position of the support element 40 on the sole plate 30 is rendered adjustable by providing one or more apertures 44 through the guide means 42 and a plurality of transverse spaced apertures 46 through the heel end 34 of the sole plate 3%. A locking pin 48, preferably having an enlarged head 50, is selectively positioned through desired apertures to fixedly secure the support element 4t) in a desired adjusted relationship with respect to the sole plate 30. Of course, the apertures 46 may be provided over a substantial portion of the rear of the sole plate 30 to permit relatively great modification of the.

effective length of the device for accommodating shoes of different sizes. Further, although the locking pin 48 may be merely frictiona-lly engaged through the apertures in the guide means 42, if desired, any other secur ing arrangement may be provided. For example, the terminal end of the locking pin 43 may include screw threads which cooperate with threads in the aperture in the guide means 42. In such an instance, the enlarged head 50 may be knurled, if desired.

The upper end 52 of the support element 40 is arcuate for extending over the heel portion-26 of the upper 22 of the shoe 12. A heel-securing element 54, preferably L-shaped as shown in the drawing, is pivotally secured to the upper end 52 of the support element 40 to permit the same to be rotated from an .unengaged position as shown in FIGURE 1 to an engaged position asshown in FIG- URE 2 wherein the free end 56 of the heel-securing element 54 frictionally engages the inner heel portion 28 of the shoe 12." to press the heel into. close contact with the heel end 34 of the sole plate30.

In order to accommodate shoes having heels of various heights, the upper end 52 of the support element 40 is preferably bifurcated and includes. a plurality of apertures 58 which cooperate with an aperture 60 in the upper end 52 of the support element 40 and a pivot pin 62, again preferably having an enlarged head 64, to provide an adjustably positioned pivot means for the heelinventive concepts, and since many modifications may be provided with any desired means for maintaining the same in the selected position and for facilitating modification of'the pivot point.

The use and operation of the device of the instant invention will now be apparent. The position of the support element 40 on the sole plate is first adjustedby sliding the guide means 42 over the heel end 34 of the sole plate and engaging the locking pin 48 in the selected apertures to accommodate the size of theshoe to be straightened. Then, the position of the pivot means interconnecting the heel-engaging element 54 with the upper end 52 of the support element is adjusted by engaging the pivot pin 62 in the selected apertures to accommodate the size of the heel on the shoe to be straightened. Although only three adjustment positions tor the pivot means have been shown in the drawing as illustrative, it will be understood that as many positions as necessary for various types of shoes may be provided.

The toe portion 24 ofthe shoe 12 is initially inserted into the toe strap 36 of the device 10 as shown in FIGURE land the heel 20 of the shoe is then pressed into engagement with the heel end 34 of the sole plate 30 to straighten the shoe. The heel-engaging element 54 is then pivoted to the position shown in FIGURE 2 and thefree end 56 of the same engaged. with the inner heel portion 28 of the shoe to maintain the contact between the heel 20 of the shoe and the sole plate 30 of the device 10.

In order to obtain optimum engagement between the device and the shoe, the curve of the arcuate upper end 52 of the support element 40 and the position of the pivot means thereon are so related to the length of the heelsecuring element 54 and the height above the sole plate 30 of the inner heel portion 28 of a shoe which is to be straightened by the device that the point of engagement of the free end 56 of the heel-securing element 54 with the inner heel portion 23 of the shoe is disposed at least as rearwardly toward the heel end 34 of the sole plate 30 as the pivot means, that is, the point of engagement of the pin 62. This arrangement will provide an over-center locking between the heel-securing element and the shoe to preclude accidental disengagement. The free end 56 of the heel-securing element 54' is preferably provided with a silght curve to facilitate an engagement of this sort.

It will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved shoe straightening device which is particularly adapted for use with all types of shoes, including especially womens high heeled shoes, and which satisfies all of the objectives of the instant invention and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

Since many embodiments maybe made of the instant inventive concepts, and since many modifications may be made of the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A shoe straightening device for use with a shoe having a sole with a toe end and a heel end, a heel secured to the heel end of the sole, and an upper secured to the sole having a toe portion and a heel portion, the inside of the shoe having an inner heel portion overlying the heel,- said device comprising a one-piece sole plate extending the full length of the shoe and having a toe end and a heel end, a toe strap carried by said toe end of said sole plate for engaging the toe portion of theupper' of the shoe and pressing the toe end of the sole of the shoe into close contact with said toe end of said sole plate, an upstanding support element'having a lower end carried by said heel end of said sole plate and an arcuate upper end for extending'over the heel portion of the upper of the shoe, said lower end of said support element defining guide means slidably engaging said heel end of said sole plate, and locking means for fixedly securing said lower end of said support element to said heel end of said sole plate in a selected adjusted relationship, and a heel-securing element, pivot means interconnecting one end of said heel-securing element with said arcuate upper end of said support element, and said heel-securing ele ment including a free end for frictionally engaging the inner heel portion of the shoe and pressing the heel of the shoe into close contact with said heel end of-said sole p ate.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said guide means includes portions defining an aperture therethrough, and said heel end of said sole plate includes portions defining a plurality of spaced transverse apertures therethrough, said locking means includes a pin selectively positioned through said aperture in said guide means and one of said apertures in said heel end of said sole plate.

3. A shoe straightening device for use with a shoe having a sole with a toe end and a heel end, a heel secured to the heel end of the sole, andan upper secured to the sole and havinga toe portion and a heel portion, the inside of the shoe having an inner heel portion overlying the heel, said device comprising a sole plate extending the full length of the shoe and having a toe end and a heel end, a toe strap carried by said toe end of said sole plate for engaging the toe portion of the upper of the shoe and pressing the toe end of the sole of the shoe into close contact with said toe end of said sole plate, an upstanding support element having a lower end carried by said heel end of said sole plate and an arcuate upper end for extending over the heel portion of the upper of the shoe, and a heel-securing element, adjustable means pivotally interconnecting one end of said heel-securing element at a selected location along said arcuate upper end of said support element, and said heel-securing element including a free end for frictionally engaging the inner heel portion of the shoe and pressing the heel of the shoe into close contact with said heel end of said sole plate.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said one end of said heel-securing element including portions defining an aperture therethrough, said upper end of said support element including portions defining a plurality of spaced transverse apertures therethrough, and a pivot pin selectively 10 positioned through said aperture in said one end of said heel-securing element and one of said apertures in said upper end of said support element to pivotally interconnect said elements in a selected adjusted relationship.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein the curve of said 15 to be straightened by said device that the pointof engagement of said free end of said heel-securing element with the inner heel portion of the shoe is disposed at least as rearwardly toward said heel end of said sole plate as said pivot means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,943,657 1/1934 Drury 12-1205 2,340,463 2/1944 G'ano 12120.5 2,513,372 7/1950 Shurtz 12120.5 3,035,289 5/1962 Wakeman 12-120.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 101,386 3/1898 Germany. 386,001 12/1922 Germany.

311,926 5/ 1929 Great Britain.

PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SHOE STRAGHTENING DEVICE FOR USE WITH A SHOE HAVING A SOLE WITH A TOE AND A HEEL END, A HEEL SECURED TO THE HEEL END OF THE SOLE, AND AN UPPER SECURED TO THE SOLE HAVING A TOE PORTION AND A HEEL PORTION, THE INSIDE OF THE SHOE HAVING AN INNER HEEL PORTION OVERLYING THE HEEL, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A ONE-PIECE SOLE PLATE EXTENDING THE FULL LENGTH OF THE SHOE AND HAVING A TOE END AND A HEEL END, A TOE STRAP CARRIED BY SAID TOE END OF SAID SOLE PLATE FOR ENGAGING THE TOE PORTION OF THE UPPER OF THE SHOE AND PRESSING THE TOE END OF SOLE OF THE SHOE INTO CLOSE CONTACT WITH SAID TOE END OF SAID SOLE PLATE, AN UPSTANDING SUPPORT ELEMENT HAVING AN LOWER END CARRIED BY SAID HEEL END OF SAID SOLE PLATE AND AN ARCUATE UPPER END FOR EXTENDING OVER THE HEEL PORTION OF THE UPPER OF THE SHOE, SAID LOWER END OF SAID SUPPORT ELEMENT DEFINING GUIDE MEANS SLIDABLY ENGAGING SAID HEEL END OF SAID SOLE PLATE, AND LOCKING MEANS FOR FIXEDLY SECURING SAID LOWER END OF SAID SUPPORT ELEMENT TO SAID HEEL END OF SAID SOLE PLATE IN A SELECTED ADJUSTED RELATIONSHIP, AND A HEEL-SECURING ELEMENT, PIVOT MEANS INTERCONNECTING ONE END OF SAID HEEL-SECURING ELEMENT WITH SAID ARCUATE UPPER END OF SAID SUPPORT ELEMENT, AND SAID HEEL-SECURING ELEMENT INCLUDING A FREE END FOR FRICTIONALLY ENGAGING THE INNER HEEL PORTION OF THE SHOE AND PRESSING THE HEEL OF THE SHOE INTO CLOSE CONTACT WITH SAID HEEL END OF SAID SOLE PLATE. 